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Tigers' hitting coach interviewing for manager's job

Tigers' hitting coach interviewing for manager's job

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Wedge on leaving Mariners 1:40

9/29/13: Mariners manager Eric Wedge discusses the end of his tenure with the team and the club's maturation process

By Greg Johns
/
MLB.com |

SEATTLE -- Add Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon to the list of people interviewing for the Mariners' managerial opening, as the former Pirates skipper confirmed to MLB.com on Saturday that he would be talking to Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik next week.

Zduriencik began preliminary interviews with several candidates this past week in Arizona, the other confirmed talks being with A's bench coach Chip Hale and Padres bench coach Rick Renteria.

Zduriencik was in Seattle on Saturday to speak at an American Legion Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, then was scheduled to return to Arizona for more interviews.

McClendon was the first candidate interviewed by the Tigers on Thursday and is regarded by some a leading contender for the managerial post that opened after Jim Leyland stepped down last week. McClendon worked on Leyland's staff the past eight seasons after managing the Pirates from 2001-05.

The Tigers have also interviewed Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach, who is believed to have interest in Seattle's opening.

McClendon previously interviewed with the Mariners in 2010, when they instead hired Eric Wedge, who resigned following his third straight losing season because of a disagreement with management.

McClendon had a 336-446 record in five years when Pittsburgh was in the midst of a 20-year run of losing seasons, then was immediately hired by Detroit and has been regarded as a big part of the Tigers' success as they have reached the American League Championship Series four times and the World Series twice during his eight years with Leyland.

The Mariners are one of three teams still looking for a manager, along with the Tigers and the Cubs, with the Reds having already promoted pitching coach Bryan Price and the Nationals reportedly having reached agreement with D-backs third-base coach Matt Williams.

Teams are discouraged from announcing managerial hires during the World Series, so no further announcements are expected until the Red Sox and the Cardinals conclude the Fall Classic.

All three remaining teams could also be waiting to interview candidates from those teams, with Red Sox third-base coach Torey Lovullo regarded as one of the top available candidates.